The Washington critic., 1887-07-14
SPORTS OF THE SEASON,


The fight for the percentage system has
commenced In earnest. President stesrus
Of Detroit, In an Interview IN the Free Pres
yesterday, said "Dotroit won't tolerate the
guarantee system next season. While we
shall undoubtedly come out even the
present season, we don't care to maintain a
club simply for glory any length of time.
The Detroit Club is altogether too big an
attraction for Sl25. Just think OF the VOL
veTlnes drawing $4,000 at Philadelphia and
receiving 1915 for II. Unless the League
returns TO its senses and the percentage sys-
ten next season, know Of three clubs
which will leave II and enter the American
Association. Most Of the clubs In that or
ganizatlon want the percentage, aud the
probabilities are they will get IT, The &C.
cession Of three strong League clubs would
make the Association the foremost baseball
organization Of the country"
II three clubs will leave the League next
season because Of the guarantee system, SO
much the better for the League The
League cities have been long supporting
clubs which their own towns have failed to
support. II the DetroIts drew 10000 In
Philadelphia, 1t was Philadelphia money
that was paid out, and there is no reason
why 1t should 20 to support the Detroit
Club. The Free Press thinks 1t hard that
the Michigan Club should receive only
1915 for the three games. Take our own
nine, for instance. II the boys play so well,
and the city papers boom them so that
crowds are attracted to Capitol Park, the
home nine should receive the benefit, not
the visitors. II Detroit cannot support Its
own club, then the club had better be dis
banded and the players sold to cities that
can support clubs. with the guarantee
system only the paying baseball cities will
remain IN the League. No dead weights
will be carried. 1t is the only business
like system.
Then, too, 1t lisa system that cannot en-
courage dishonest playing. 1t is sometimes
charged that the visiting club loses the first
game to draw increased attendance ut the
other two. Under the guarantee system
this would be absurd, for II would make no
difference to the visitors, who receive their
Sl25 game whether 200 or 10000 were
present II they throw game away they
reduce their percentage and gain nothing
by II under the present system. This Is by
no means a small consideratlon-the mat
ter Of honest playing. 1t is the foundation
stone OF American sports, and II 1t is de
stroyed the costly editce built upon 1t will
fall in ruins.
II was another battle OF pitchers yester-
day, and though Whitney was hit u trine
oftener than Baldwin he managed to scat
ter the hits SO that they availed nothing ex-
cept in the case OF Anson, who hit the bali
over the fence but preferred to stay on
third to bring Mack up behind the bat aud
thus wesken Wbitney's delivery. The
scheme did not work, and the big captain died
on third. The nine failed to score, while
the home nine batted out three runs, one
of which was earned. Our infleld played
with but one error, while Hines aud Daily
made some pretty catches. The boys have
been keeping up some pretty playing for
two weeks, and II they are steady 1t is
bound to tell. They should win two more
games this weeek to fulfill THE CRITIo's
prediction.
The Phillies again had snap with the
Hoosiers Yesterday. First they pounded
Hesly, and then Fast, the new twirler, was
put In. He did not do very well, so John
Patiicio Cahill was called In from the field
to the box. The Phillies had their incident
and accidents, too. Ferguson WAS hurt In the
fourth, and Maui went In the box. He was
pounded rather hard, but the hits were scat
tered, ard the home nine won by 10 to 5
New York hit Mccormick hard, and won
by Z to 8. The fielding was good. Keeie
returned In time to go In the box. Boston
slaughtered Getzein, making total OF 32
Dsbes OIL MS delivery, while the wolverines
could not touch Madden. Boston wen by
l2 to 4. Our chance to pass Pittsburg comes
this week. II we win to day and tomorrow
we can do 1t.
Baseball Personalities.
A St Louis player may be kicked In the
stomach, run ever by a freight train, struck
by cyclsnc, have an eye knocked out, both
| legs broken or spine twisted In four ways,
but he is always able to play ball and ques-
tion the umpire's decision. Kansas City
| journal.
Indianapolis has signed new pitcher
| His name is Fast. He is school teacher OF
Milwaukee, Wis, who used to play ball as
diversion occasionally, whenever the loca
| club was particularly anxious to win game
| 1t is said that his club did not lose single
game when he pitched, and Catcher HacketI
| OF the Indianapolis, who had Fast out for 9
little while the other day, says he has all tht
curves and tricks of q veteran.